+Atari2600PAL Posted June 15, 2023 Share Posted June 15, 2023 Hi. I'd really like to use the component out on my PAL unit but none of my screens can cope with the output (poor colours and spills over edges of screen). An OSSC made it fit the screen but there were horrid lines running down the screen I couldn't get rid of (and I no longer use a screen that has HDMI anyway) However I do have a motherboard, keyboard and power board from an NTSC unit that seems to give a good composite output to the 4:3 screen I'm currently using (a 15" that sits on top of my peb to save space) The trouble is that I can plug it all together and it powers on with the initial splash screen (which is how I've judged that composite seems reasonably ok) but it doesn't respond to any key press. It just sits on the splash screen. No idea if it's a keyboard problem or the mobo I only have limited tools like a multi-meter and soldering iron available Is it worth trying to fix with my limited tool availability or should I just watch eBay for a working NTSC unit and get it shipped over Any thoughts please? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted June 15, 2023 Share Posted June 15, 2023 try shorting the key pins on the motherboard to simulate a keystroke the matrix is pretty simple and is in the faq pinned here https://forums.atariage.com/forum/164-ti-994a-computers/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted June 16, 2023 Author Share Posted June 16, 2023 7 hours ago, arcadeshopper said: try shorting the key pins on the motherboard to simulate a keystroke the matrix is pretty simple and is in the faq pinned here https://forums.atariage.com/forum/164-ti-994a-computers/ Thanks. It was the Mitsumi keyboard I managed to load Parsec and sadly it showed I was wrong about the display. It DOES at least fit on the screen BUT Parsec was a kaleidoscope of colours Looks like I'll be using PAL RF until I can find another display that works with the component output 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted June 16, 2023 Author Share Posted June 16, 2023 I did try connecting the component out to VGA in on the TV, but it just complained of no-sync Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tursi Posted June 16, 2023 Share Posted June 16, 2023 1 hour ago, Atari2600PAL said: Looks like I'll be using PAL RF until I can find another display that works with the component output Are you sure that's PAL? The color fringing like that should only happen on NTSC. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted June 16, 2023 Author Share Posted June 16, 2023 1 minute ago, Tursi said: Are you sure that's PAL? The color fringing like that should only happen on NTSC. No. Its the composite out from the NTSC motherboard into a PAL TV 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted June 16, 2023 Author Share Posted June 16, 2023 This is the PAL RF output. It's not bad but I'd like to get a sharper image when in Basic etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted June 16, 2023 Author Share Posted June 16, 2023 The other problem with the component output, other than poor colour and not fitting the screen, is that every couple of seconds the screen blanks out before coming back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted June 16, 2023 Share Posted June 16, 2023 NTSC composite is that way, it's not called NEVER THE SAME COLOR for nothing f18a is your best bet if you want a quality screen, i have them in stock 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted June 16, 2023 Author Share Posted June 16, 2023 Just now, arcadeshopper said: NTSC composite is that way, it's not called NEVER THE SAME COLOR for nothing f18a is your best bet if you want a quality screen, i have them in stock Will it work on a stock PAL and/or NTSC unit please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted June 16, 2023 Share Posted June 16, 2023 Just now, Atari2600PAL said: Will it work on a stock PAL and/or NTSC unit please? would I offer it if it wouldnt? It works on all consoles even the 99/4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted June 16, 2023 Author Share Posted June 16, 2023 31 minutes ago, arcadeshopper said: would I offer it if it wouldnt? It works on all consoles even the 99/4 I guess it WAS a stupid question (in my defence I was thinking about the chip change needed for the TMS RGB on one of the units I think) Can I add it to my existing CC9900 order please? EDIT: Have added to existing order, if there's a postage cost issue please let me know and I'll sort with you. Many thanks Thanks 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tursi Posted June 17, 2023 Share Posted June 17, 2023 20 hours ago, Atari2600PAL said: Will it work on a stock PAL and/or NTSC unit please? Only thing to note is that the frame rate out of the F18A will always be 60hz. Works fine in all consoles though. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted June 17, 2023 Author Share Posted June 17, 2023 44 minutes ago, Tursi said: Only thing to note is that the frame rate out of the F18A will always be 60hz. Works fine in all consoles though. Thanks. Have just checked the VGA input on my TV screen and according to the manual it only does 60hz So hopefully will be ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted June 18, 2023 Share Posted June 18, 2023 13 hours ago, Atari2600PAL said: Thanks. Have just checked the VGA input on my TV screen and according to the manual it only does 60hz So hopefully will be ok thats the standard, and the console runs at 60hz with the f18a 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted July 5, 2023 Author Share Posted July 5, 2023 I've just received a PAL unit I picked up off eBay (the PSU, PAL Modulator & double cassette lead are all good and I would happily of paid what I did just for those) But the PAL unit has a display issue (as per images) though the case is in reasonable condition and the keyboard works (though needs a clean!) I'm now torn between trying to repair the PAL motherboard or just swapping in the good NTSC motherboard ready for the F18A and keeping the PAL mobo for spares I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what might be wrong with it and/or what I should maybe do (swapping motherboard seems the simplest!) please? Many thanks The following was just me testing the keyboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMole Posted July 5, 2023 Share Posted July 5, 2023 Might be a VRAM issue, but since it doesn't show any of the typical "stuck bit" artifacts, I'm thinking it could also be the VDP... Both would make the board a good candidate for that F18a, since it effectively replaces both. So, keep the NTSC one as-is, and fix the new PAL unit with the F18a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted July 5, 2023 Author Share Posted July 5, 2023 2 minutes ago, TheMole said: Might be a VRAM issue, but since it doesn't show any of the typical "stuck bit" artifacts, I'm thinking it could also be the VDP... Both would make the board a good candidate for that F18a, since it effectively replaces both. So, keep the NTSC one as-is, and fix the new PAL unit with the F18a That's good to know, will give it a try thanks I guess I better get cleaning and doing some more testing to make sure that the display is the ONLY issue with it Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted July 5, 2023 Author Share Posted July 5, 2023 1 hour ago, TheMole said: Might be a VRAM issue, but since it doesn't show any of the typical "stuck bit" artifacts, I'm thinking it could also be the VDP... Both would make the board a good candidate for that F18a, since it effectively replaces both. So, keep the NTSC one as-is, and fix the new PAL unit with the F18a I tried running Parsec. As expected the graphics are pretty glitchy However, the sound was also bad with random tones playing, is this still likely to be just the VRAM and/or VDP please? Or something else as well please? Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted July 5, 2023 Author Share Posted July 5, 2023 Not having much luck with all this I decided to swap the NTSC board into the case to test it, as I know the keyboard is good, but the NTSC still doesn't respond to any key presses So as far as I can work out so far I can short the NTSC keyboard pins and it responds to the correct key presses, but attach a working keyboard and it doesn't Will open it up again tomorrow and make sure the connector didn't come off as the cable is very short on this one EDIT: Decided to take a look and sure enough the connector had slipped off (should of guessed, as the first time I put it together I managed to forget to fit the grom riser too...) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duewester Posted July 6, 2023 Share Posted July 6, 2023 I'd pull and reseat the VDP in the PAL unit. Check/replace the thermal paste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted July 6, 2023 Author Share Posted July 6, 2023 6 hours ago, Duewester said: I'd pull and reseat the VDP in the PAL unit. Check/replace the thermal paste. Thanks, will give that a go (have ordered some thermal grease as I'm out) Have decided to use the F18A in the NTSC board as I have no use for an NTSC output machine and the motherboard is in immaculate condition (looks factory fresh) The only issue with it is a buzz from the internal power board which I don't get from the PAL machine ones BUT the connectors between them and the motherboard are different so can't swap one of those in without some rewiring so may as well buy & fit a modern PSU? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted July 6, 2023 Author Share Posted July 6, 2023 10 hours ago, Duewester said: I'd pull and reseat the VDP in the PAL unit. Check/replace the thermal paste. Just tried a pull and reseat and it's completely failed now, just a totally random display and continuous tones That mobo is now off to the spares box, but going to look at modifying the cabling from the power board to make it compatible with the NTSC board, rather than fitting a modern PSU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Atari2600PAL Posted July 6, 2023 Author Share Posted July 6, 2023 Have managed to desolder the connector from the buzzing board and re-solder it onto what was the spare power board and I now have an NTSC system ready for the F18A with no buzz (I say "managed" because my soldering skills are pretty minimal, but getting better slowly) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tursi Posted July 6, 2023 Share Posted July 6, 2023 4 hours ago, Atari2600PAL said: Just tried a pull and reseat and it's completely failed now, just a totally random display and continuous tones Probably just some corrosion on the socket, honestly. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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